Middle adulthood

Physiological Needs

During middle adulthood, ages 40 to 65, people are still capable of meeting all of these needs without help. In fact, most people, in the United States don't even think about these needs. For the average American this age, filling these needs has become part of their everyday life without much thought about them. One of the needs that has became even easier to access over the last decade is air. Due to recent legislation involving smoking in public places and places of work, there are more places for people to get clean air. People employed at bars or restaurants no longer have to worry about not meeting their need for clean air. This image shows what workers in bars and restaurants had to deal with before smoking in them was banned.

Safety Needs

Middle adults have also become efficient at filling safety needs as well. One problem riddled aspect of safety needs for many are those related to finances. Being financially secure during this time in life can be difficult. Not only is a steady job with a decent paycheck part of this, but also, having a sufficient savings built up. This period takes you close to when many plan to retire. Wit out the proper financial planning during this period and the young adulthood period, people will have a hard time reaching their retirement goals. For people that struggle with this need, it can hamper filling the rest of the needs that follow. This image is an attempt to show why this is such a tough need for some to fill. It takes money to save for retirement. Money for many, is in short supply and people are having difficulties just meeting their physiological needs due to financial issues.

Belonging and Love Needs

For most middle age adults, the love and belonging needs are pretty constant. At this point in life, people generally have groups of family members and/or groups of friends that make them feel loved and that they belong. This need is largely already met because of past relationships they have maintained. However, for some, due to death or changes such as divorce, they need to fill this need by making new relationships. This can be difficult but many people this age find new relationships that fill this need. This picture shows a group of middle age adults that took finding new people to the extreme by going on a singles" cruise to the Caribbean. The cruise was specifically designed for single people over the age of forty.

Esteem Needs

Esteem needs can be filled in many different ways. A person can gain respect from others in several ways and can respect themselves at all times. Some people are respected at their work and they respect themselves for doing their work. An example of this is a judge. They do not make as much money as a private attorney but their job is much more difficult. They must put all of their "feelings" aside and act as a fair unbiased representative of the legislatures. This is a picture of Justice Joseph Nadaeu, who is also a professor. He became a judge because he felt it was his civic duty. When you accomplish something out of a "sense of duty", I believe that it will fill your need for self respect.

Self-Actualization

Middle age adults can and should be self-actualized. While it is not always the case, people this age should have a solid grasps on who they are and what they are capable of. If they have met all their other needs, then most likely they have realized self-actualization. If they have missed needs or not filled some of their needs then they most likely are not able to completely figure themselves out. Middle age adults that fill the need for self-actualization will be confident and capable. They will know exactly what they are capable of and what they want out of their life. According to Maslow, Albert Einstein was a good example of self-actualization. Sticking with that train of thought, I believe Maslow would have agreed that the person in this picture is also a good example of someone more current that is self-actualized. Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking is thought to be one of the most advanced minds in his fields of study.